vncnus Chapter 285 The Clown Islands
Chapter 285 The Clown Islands
Chapter 285 The Clown Islands
The Wisdom Tree cruise ship swayed and rocked its way forward; the sea was far from calm.
The massive earthquake must have affected not only the New World but also the Sea of Despair.
The lookout told Suraj that the boundaries of the corrupted area had changed significantly, making the old nautical charts no longer applicable.
And this is probably a consequence of that earthquake.
Therefore, the Wisdom Tree had no choice but to slow down its voyage and be mindful of the boundaries of the corrupted waters.
Suraj was not very experienced at sea, but his crew were all veteran sailors.
Therefore, although the speed of progress has slowed down slightly, it is still moving forward steadily.
Suraj walked toward the cabin, where his most trusted subordinate, Ahjun Singh, was lying under the dim light of an oil lamp.
Hearing that the other person's breathing was even, Suraj also breathed a sigh of relief.
It must have been Gao Yintian's blessing that we were able to save Ah Jun and bring him back to the ship safely.
More than two months ago, despite Suraj's efforts to save Ah Jun.
But as time went on, this opportunity became increasingly slim.
Without medication to treat his wounds, Ah Jun's body became increasingly weak, and his wounds also showed signs of inflammation.
At that time, Suraj couldn't even determine his exact location.
They walked slower and slower, but death was closing in on them.
One day, while using his spiritual body to survey the surrounding terrain, Suraj discovered a river.
Suraj remembered that his boat was hidden near the mouth of a river.
At this point, Suraj had no choice but to take a gamble, betting that the two rivers were actually the same one.
He used his longsword to cut down tree branches and vines to make a raft, and then used an expansion agent to increase the raft's drainage.
Then they carried Ah Jun onto the raft and sailed downstream.
Using rafts to transport the wounded is more than ten times faster than letting them walk.
Ah Jun was able to get more time to rest, and the rate at which his injury worsened was slowed down.
In calmer sections of the river, Ah Jun can help control the raft.
Suraj would use this time to monitor the area around the river with his abilities, while also allowing his physical body to relax.
As it turned out, he was very lucky; his gamble paid off, and he returned to his ship.
With the help of medicine and doctors on board, saving Ah Jun's life shouldn't be a big problem.
Suraj immediately ordered them to set sail and return to port.
At this moment, Sulajie sat quietly under the comb, staring at the swaying lamplight above, waiting for Ah Jun to wake up.
Suraj was born into a family of high lineage and was trained as an officer from a young age.
From a young age, he had witnessed countless sacrifices, and he never wavered in the face of the deaths of his subordinates.
He considered it a matter of course, and that it was an honor for those who sacrificed themselves to give their lives for Swabawa and His Holiness.
For this reason, Suraj always scrutinized his subordinates with a cold, piercing gaze, always ready to sacrifice them.
However, when Suraj used his supernatural powers, he accidentally entered Ah Jun's dream, or rather, Ah Jun's subconscious.
This was the first time Suraj had seen what kind of lives his compatriots of lower bloodlines led.
Later, he entered Ah Jun's subconscious multiple times to explore the secrets hidden deep within his heart.
He learned about everything that happened to Ah Jun during his childhood, youth, and adulthood. As for Ah Jun's middle age, since the other party had always been by his side, he knew about it without having to spy on him.
It was this knowledge that enabled Suraj to empathize with his men for the first time.
He realized that perhaps the honor he spoke of was not something worth sacrificing his life for for these people.
This is why Suraj's heart wavered, and he couldn't help but wonder if the path he had chosen was truly the best or only way.
Suraj was unaware of this and couldn't quite figure it out for the time being.
"grown ups--"
A weak murmur reached Suraj's ears.
Suraj turned his head away: "You're awake, Ah Jun."
"Sir," Ah Jun propped himself up and sat up, "you should have woken me up directly when you arrived."
Suraj shook his head: "No rush."
Ah Jun asked with a serious expression, "Sir, what is it?"
"I've reflected on this for a long time," Suraj said. "I think our operation this time was a failure."
Upon hearing this, Ah Jun's brows furrowed deeply:
"My lord! You mustn't say that! You're still alive, the ship has plenty of resources, and the mission can continue."
"But we lost too many essential talents," Suraj shook his head. "That's the biggest problem. As you can see..."
That forest is too dangerous; without Amit and the others, we can't move an inch in that area.
Ah Jun shook his head firmly: "That's only because we sent too few people in the last operation. If we had enough people, the outcome would definitely have been different with everyone working together!"
"Enough has been sacrificed, Ah Jun," Suraj chuckled and shook his head. "There's no need for pointless sacrifices."
Upon hearing this, Ah Jun's jaw trembled, and he was speechless.
Suraj added, "The most important thing now is to bring the intelligence we have back to Swabawa, so that our trip won't be completely fruitless."
Silence fell over the cabin, and it was unclear how much time had passed.
Ah Jun asked, "Sir, could it be that you are thinking of us?"
Thinking of them? Suraj wondered to himself, "Am I thinking of them?"
Before he could figure it out, Ah Jun continued:
"My lord, if I, or anyone else, become a burden to our mission, please do not hesitate to abandon them decisively."
Suraj nodded: "I will, and that's how it's always been done."
"But sir, even though the light is dim, the confusion in your eyes has never been so clear."
is that so-·
"Perhaps I'm a little out of sorts, but I believe my judgment is correct, and I must send the intelligence back to Swabawa."
"Even though I understand that if it's just about bringing back intelligence, there's absolutely no need for so many people."
From Ah Jun's tone, Suraj heard loyalty and steadfastness, and he couldn't help but ask in return:
"What are your suggestions, Ah Jun?"
"My lord, in my current state, if I continue to stay by your side, I will only be a burden to you."
Ah Jun said,
"However, no one else has this problem. Therefore, sir, please stay here and continue the mission. I will find a way to bring the intelligence back and request the Lord to send someone to support us."
Upon hearing this suggestion, Suraj understood that it was far better than leading the entire fleet back, but if he did so:
"We only have one boat. If we split up, someone will inevitably have to consider other ways to travel."
"My lord, just leave me at the nearest port, and I will definitely bring the information back!"
Suraj fell silent, and after careful consideration, he said:
"No, you can drive the Wisdom Tree back."
Ah Jun's eyes widened: "But—"
"This is an order, Ah Jun."
Suraj interrupted,
"Bringing back intelligence is the highest priority right now. As for my actions here, they can only be considered a side effect. If they yield any results, that would be great. If they fail, there won't be any further losses."
Ah Jun looked surprised, but after his facial muscles relaxed slightly, he suddenly burst into laughter:
"Ha ha!"
Suraj asked, "What are you laughing at?"
"Sir, you've changed."
"I've changed?" Suraj asked, puzzled. "Changed in what way?"
Ah Jun seemed to see through Suraj's thoughts: "My lord, I will always be loyal to you. Since you have made this decision, I will obey. Even if something happens to you, I swear that I will carry on your legacy."
"Um,
Suraj responded, stood up, waved, and walked towards the stairs.
However, he wore a smile he had never seen before.
He immediately realized that perhaps he really had become different from before.
As soon as he arrived on deck, a sailor found Suraj:
"grown ups!"
"What is it?" Suraj regained his composure.
"There's a ship ahead!"
Suraj was startled.
He is now sailing on the southern route. If he encounters any ships, they will surely be pirate ships!
He immediately ordered, "Notify everyone to prepare for battle!"
The sailors acted immediately, and Suraj also came to the bow of the ship to observe.
He looked ahead, and after a while, he indeed saw the silhouette of a boat.
As the ship slowly approached, Suraj realized something was wrong.
Suraj ordered, "Have the lookout take a close look; what kind of ship is that?"
After the sailor beside him left, he quickly returned to reply:
"It's a warship!"
warship?
Why are there warships on the route pioneered by the navigator?
Suraj changed his orders: "Remain vigilant, but do not act rashly. Do not launch an attack before receiving my order."
After relaying the message, Suraj kept a close eye on the ship, prepared for any unexpected events.
However, the situation was completely different from what he had expected.
The ship passed right by the Wisdom Tree, and the sailors on the other ship didn't even glance at the Wisdom Tree twice, let alone have any conflict.
What's going on?
If it were a pirate warship in disguise, it would be impossible for them to let the Wisdom Tree, disguised as a merchant ship, go undetected.
If it were a warship, it might have suspected the Wisdom Tree was a pirate ship, and thus launched the attack.
However, the result was contrary to Suraj's expectations.
It was as if the other party didn't care at all what kind of ship the Wisdom Tree was.
Such behavior demonstrates a profound lack of vigilance for anyone who makes a living at sea.
Although Suraj felt that something was wrong with the situation, he could not draw a conclusion out of thin air.
The ship had already sailed away, and Suraj received other reports.
The reporter, a surveyor on board, stated that the distribution of the corrosive waters in this area had become vastly different from what was marked on the nautical charts.
If you continue sailing along the distorted sea route, you will inevitably enter the range of the Clown Islands.
The Clown Islands are the territory of the Navigator, the most terrifying pirates of our time, and perhaps even of all time.
If a conflict were to break out, Suraj felt that his chances of winning were extremely slim.
However, if one chooses to leave the sea route and cross the corrupted waters, the situation remains dangerous.
Caught between a rock and a hard place, Suraj was at a loss for what to do.
Even if he chooses to turn back to the New World, the sea route has been changed, and he will have to face this problem sooner or later.
After hesitating for a while, Suraj decided:
"Keep going, and make it across the Clown Islands in one go."
Now in a desperate situation, Suraj had no choice but to take a gamble and hope to break through the pirates' perimeter before they could react.
Even if they were intercepted, Suraj would pretend it was a slave ship.
He had heard that the Clown Islands hosted slave ships, assuming the latter were willing to pay an entry fee.
Things are unpredictable. He had just discussed his plans with Ah Jun when a sudden change occurred.
As things stand, no one can predict what fate awaits the ship until it has completely crossed the Clown Islands.
Suraj ordered everyone to stay alert, and he himself had to come up with a plan for every possible scenario.
Ah Jun said that Sulajie has changed, and perhaps the other party is right.
Suraj accepts that he may change slowly, but he will never allow himself to become foolish and weak.
As an officer deeply trusted by his lord, his actions must never betray his position.
The Wisdom Tree continued its voyage, and the next morning, someone knocked on the door of its captain's cabin:
"Sir, an island has been spotted ahead."
Suraj immediately went to Shenban and looked ahead.
Many black dots and lines appeared at the horizon.
That is undoubtedly the Clown Islands.
Suraj observed the comb—all the sails were full!
This is a good sign; to save time, being able to sail at full speed is a prerequisite.
"Handle the ship carefully, the rest of you be ready for battle at any time."
Suraj climbed onto the driver's seat to be ready to command the operation at any time.
The Wisdom Tree continued to traverse the waves, and the outline of the Clown Islands became increasingly clear.
However, when he got close enough, he vaguely sensed that something was wrong.
It is not unusual for ships to come and go in any port.
But for a port frequented by pirates who made their living by plundering, such a flow of ships seemed excessive.
With these doubts in mind, Suraj continued to observe.
However, the situation in the archipelago continued to challenge his understanding.
Not only pirate ships and slave ships travel through the archipelago, but also ordinary merchant ships, and even warships!
How could a righteous person's warship appear in a pirate's port?
Moreover, how did they maintain such a "friendly" relationship with the pirate ships?
Suraj frowned; he couldn't understand the situation before him at all.
Finally, he gave the order:
"Enter port."
Since all ships can coexist peacefully, then logically no ship should attack his ship.
If they could rest and recuperate a bit in the Clown Islands, the rest of the voyage would undoubtedly be much easier.
As it turned out, his guess was correct, and his ship entered the port smoothly.
Suraj was filled with doubt, as this was very different from his impression of "pirate territory".
He wanted to figure out how this was possible, why any ship could sail through the Clown Islands.
Therefore, he planned to go ashore and do some research.
The Wisdom Tree docked at a pier on one of the islands, and Suraj immediately went up the gangplank to find the nearest ship repair shop to gather information.
This craftsman with the tumor-like leg must have been a pirate in the past, as he spoke in a very crude manner.
Suraj learned that the island he was on was Spade Island.
When he asked why the navigator's island allowed ships belonging to upright people to enter, the other party replied:
"The previous owners of the Clown Islands were indeed navigators, but they are no longer."
Why?
"The navigator is dead."
Suraj couldn't hide his surprise upon hearing this answer.
Despite his infamous reputation, the navigator was indeed one of the finest navigators of his time. His sudden death was astonishing. Suraj remembered that the Clown Islands had a second-in-command; now that the navigator was dead…
"So, the current master of the Clown Islands is the talkative Benson?"
These words immediately earned him an eye roll from the other person:
"Talkative Benson? You mean that traitor?"
"He's dead too."